Artist description Relatively new to the Chicago music scene, Beth Gillis, 26, likes to consider herself a singer- songwriter for the extraordinary, ordinary individual. Since 1998, Beth has been bringing her memorable folk-rock melodies to a number of Illinois and Chicago-area festivals, colleges, coffeehouses, and radio stations in order to excite and enlighten audiences of all genres. Steeped in the tradition of the folksingers of the 1960s, Beth's music not only aims to open her listeners ears but also their hearts and minds. A musical cross between Laura Nyro and Billy Joel, Beth utilizes her strong vocals, keyboard skills, and songwriting ability as a means to relay anecdotes, observations, and witticisms in a way that entertains yet allows the listener to draw their own conclusions and meaning. Through songs like College Educated Dropout and Ballad of a Ragged Man, Beth ultimately tries to present important questions that are often disregarded in everyday life. For example, on her 2003 demo CD, The Dividing Line, the song Why Dont You Tell Me examines how we often ignore uniqueness and individuality in our quests to validate and enforce our own realities on others. In addition to issues involving conformism, some other topics Beth has covered include the reality of a womans place in America, the nuances of prejudice, and the quest for inner peace. Most notably, in 1999, Beths unique, individualistic perspective and passion for social issues helped land her the position of resident troubadour for the Guerrilla Theater Troupe at Illinois State University. As part of this traveling theater group, for two years, Beth wrote and performed songs dealing with a variety of social issues including racism, sexism, and stereotyping. Overall, Beth is a versatile singer-songwriter whose passion, integrity, and sensitivity have impacted audiences of all sizes, shapes, and colors. Her respect for individuality and uniqueness shines through the murky waters of mediocrity and gives her listeners the opportunity to accept themselves for who they are while challenging them to become more.

Music Style Folk/Rock

Musical Influences Billy Joel, Laura Nyro, Janis Joplin, Tori Amos, Simon & Garfunkel

Similar Artists Billy Joel, Laura Nyro, Ani DiFranco, Kevin So, Beth Hart, Janis Joplin, Grace Slick, Linda Rondstadt, Elton John

Artist History Theres nothing spectacular about Beth Gillis. Growing up in middle-class suburbia, Beth survived all of the ordinary childhood perils: bologna sandwiches, overprotective parents, public high school. She even successfully navigated her way through that awkward pre-pubescent stage. Overall, Beth is just like most twenty-six year old American women with only one exception: she turns her middle-class experiences and observations into songs. Raised in a household consisting of only an organ and accordion, early on, Beth had little opportunity to explore her musical abilities. Bursting with creativity, she instead spent her time reading, writing, drawing, and painting. Beth composed plays and short stories, created catalogs of fashion designs, and even began directing her own fifteen minute parodies of the popular TV show, Pee Wees Playhouse. She was so focused on writing and the visual arts that music never entered her mind as a possibility. However, at the age of ten, her perspective on music quickly changed with a sneak peak into her aunt's bedroom closet. Hidden within the closet was treasure beyond belief, a relic of substantial regality: Beth had found her aunts rusty-stringed acoustic guitar from the 1960s. She instantly became enamored with the guitar, and with her aunt's help, began playing and singing folk songs. From that point, music became a constant part of Beth's life. She began performing regularly in high school choir concerts and theatrical productions ultimately receiving great praise for her solo vocal presentations and lead performances in such shows as Little Shop of Horrors and Nunsense. However, Beth still remained unconvinced of her talent as a musician and performer, and as a result, after graduating high school in 1995, enrolled in the Kansas City Art Institute with the intention of studying illustration and graphic design. What Beth didn't count on, though, was her art education leading her right back to music. While in art school, Beth not only studied the techniques that would lead her to a career in the visual arts but also the ideas of prominent philosophers, psychologists, writers, and artists. She became open to new ideas, possibilities, and dreams, and as a result, began focusing on music once again. She began to play the guitar and sing regularly, and in 1998, combining her passion for music and aptitude for writing, Beth composed her first song, Carolyn on the Corner. With her newfound talent for songwriting, Beth left art school with the determination to make music her life. Examining every possible trajectory and obstacle, Beth finally decided to pass the traditional route of classical study and pursue music on her own terms as a singer-songwriter. She attended Illinois State University (ISU) as a communication major and joined ISUs Guerrilla Theater Troupe where she sang and wrote original musical material that aimed to increase awareness, tolerance, and appreciation for social diversity. Ultimately, as she began to touch audiences of all sizes, shapes, and colors, Beth garnered a better understanding of her abilities as a singer-songwriter and consequently developed a new maturity as a composer and performer. To this day, Beth continues to write, record, and perform songs that are reflective of her experiences and observations. Always looking to expand the individual horizon, Beth hopes that her music can help people accept themselves for who they are and challenge them to become more. According to Beth, we have the power to make our lives what we want them to be no matter what the circumstances. To her, that is what makes the ordinary individual extraordinary

Instruments Vocals, Piano, Guitar

Albums The Divding Line - Demo, In the Depths of Mediocrity - Demo

Press Reviews "Beth is a true singer/songwriter whose lyrics are both personal and obvious. From her songs "College Educated Dropout" and "All the Way," she dives into relatable issues and yet allowing the audience to see into her eyes and understand her feelings and emotions . . ." - Todd Paulson, "The Show Online (www.geocities.com/theshowonline)

Location Chicago, IL - USA

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